Now that the fiddlin' triumvirate have firmly embraced their blue-state personas by refusing to say sorry (at least in song) and a decidedly left-leaning documentary by none other than Oscar-winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple is set to hit screens, you can be sure the Dixie Chicks will be taking full advantage of their two-night stand at the Air Canada Centre to preach to the full-house choir of Canucks. Happily, the solid Americana rockers' recent Rick Rubin-produced disc offers even more of a reason to check out the Chicks, even if you're kinda tired of everyone making such a big fuss over Natalie Maines 's fairly innocuous Dubya slag. October 28 and 29. 40 Bay. $69.50-$89.50. 416-870-8000.

London calling

Montreal's favourite techno queen, Misstress Barbara , touches down November 10 at This Is London (364 Richmond West) as part of the weekly Soho party. In recent years she's moved away from the big-room, drum-focused tribal techno sound she built her name on and is playing much more electro-house, minimal and - depending on the night - straight-up house music. Don't worry if you like it loud and fast, as she's still far from mellow and sleepy. Check out www. thisislondonclub.com for more information.

Porno power

Members of Canadian indie rock supergroup the New Pornographers may be weeping in their BC beers after being passed over for the inaugural Polaris Music Prize, but the upside of their recent loss is that de facto bandleader Carl Newman doesn't have to figure out how to divide the $20,000 winnings into a billion parts. He may have to make good on his Polaris-inspired threat to battle Broken Social Scene in a physical challenge, though, when the Pornos hit town on the Mint Roadshow tour alongside Mint labelmates Immaculate Machine and kaleidoscopic pop squad Novillero . Watch for nerd wars at the Kool Haus October 11. 1 Jarvis. $21.75. 416-870-8000.

Ska block-Buster

Perhaps the most highly anticipated ska/reggae event to hit town since the Legends Of Ska shows at the Palais Royale four years ago (whatever happened to that concert DVD anyway?), the long-overdue Toronto return of the great Prince Buster is something that fans of first-generation Jamaican ska won't want to miss. Those who favour rock steady or roots reggae will be delighted to know that joining Mr. Blue Beat at the Phoenix November 8 will be the still awe-inspiring guitar star Lynn Taitt , ever-soulful singer Willi Williams (of Armagideon Time fame) and Delroy Williams . It promises be a night to remember. 410 Sherbourne. $39. 416-870-8000.

Divine Decadance

It's been described as the world's biggest fetish night, so if you're into leather, whips and kink, you won't want to miss Northbound Leather's annual blowout October 21 at the Docks (11 Polson). Decadance , named in honour of the 10th anniversary of the party, is also the 20th anniversary of Northbound. DJs Matt C and Jimi Lamort provide the sleazy beats, and there will be a 45-minute retrospective fashion show along with all the fetish fun you can pack into one night. Advance tickets are $45; $55 at the door. More info available at www.northbound.com.

Fusion you can love

Apart from maybe "syn-drum solo," few terms strike fear in the hearts of serious jazz fans like "retro fusion." So it's understandable why some people might be leery about any presentation boasting the superstars of jazz fusion. Thankfully, the show November 16 at the Phoenix doesn't include any members of the Yellowjackets or Spyro Gyra. Instead, it brings together such superbly talented musicians as Roy Ayers , Lonnie Liston Smith , Wayne Henderson , Bobbi Humphrey and Ronnie Laws and should be free of the pointless noodling that gives the genre such a bad name. Just a chance to hear Jon Lucien and Jean Carne sing on the same stage should make this rescheduled summit well worth the wait. 410 Sherbourne. $39.50. 416-870-8000.